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Saturday Fulham Stuff - 10/04/21...

Started by WhiteJC, April 10, 2021, 12:25:44 AM

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WhiteJC


WhiteJC

Fulham 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers


Traore netted his first Premier League goal of the season with his 28th shot at goal

Adama Traore struck a stoppage-time winner for Wolves as Fulham's hopes of remaining in the Premier League suffered another significant blow.

Traore settled the game with a fierce angled drive with little time left.

Earlier, Wolves had been denied a goal when the video assistant referee ruled that Daniel Podence's arm was fractionally offside before he crossed for Willian Jose to head in.

Fulham stay 18th, a place and three points behind Newcastle.

However, Scott Parker's side have also now played two games more than their nearest relegation rival and with just six games left to play have little room for further error.

The players wore black armbands and there was a minute's silence before the game for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99 on Friday.

Traore ensures VAR not the main focus
With so few opportunities in a poor contest, the biggest talking point of the match threatened to be the decision to disallow Jose's first-half header.

In collecting the ball prior to his delivery from the right, Podence's upper arm was a fraction ahead of the toe of the final defender, prompting VAR to rule it out.

By the letter of the current law the decision was the correct one, but it once again highlights the use of the technology and whether it is being used for the good of the game or not.

Traore was able to provide the one moment of attacking quality to ensure the game had a winner, smashing home his first goal in 49 Premier League matches.

He had contributed little for the previous 92 minutes but when released down the right and up against some tired defensive legs, he seized his chance, firing a drive past Alphonse Areola.

It takes Wolves to 38 points, 12 clear of Fulham and surely now safe from getting dragged into the relegation fight.

It was not without cost, though, with Pedro Neto leaving the field injured in the first half.

Fulham must now hope that Newcastle's poor form continues, with Steve Bruce's side at Burnley on Sunday in one of the two games they have in hand.

'Never let anything sink us'
Fulham manager Scott Parker told BBC Match of the Day: "I've been involved in the game for many years and that is a painful one tonight. When the game ends like it does, it's not a good feeling.

"We have had punches that should have knocked us out this season but they haven't done that. We have gone and beat some big teams and Arsenal is going to be a must-win, other games will be must-win but we will keep our resolve.

"You may think I am mad but I honestly believe in this team. What is ingrained in me is a desire, an effort and fight and my team showed that tonight. It's been fine margins all season, what's key is you get back up fighting.

"There's only one way we come back from this and that's come back fighting with your hands up, jabbing away. Never let anything sink us. I'm as low as the players tonight but I can guarantee you on Monday we'll be back in and I'll give everything."

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "Fulham caused us numerous problems and the game broke in the very last minute. It is difficult for Adama Traore to find spaces because the opponents foul him a lot.

"Half-time was disturbed because of the disallowed goal, the players were out of focus. I told them to forget about VAR and we will analyse later. Our priority was to defend and then break.

"The win was very important. This is what we want for the rest of the season, there are a lot of games to be played and we have a lot of things to improve."

Wolves snatch first Premier League away win against Fulham

    In the 12th Premier League meeting between Fulham and Wolves, this was the first away victory, and the first away top-flight victory in this fixture since August 1967.
    Wolves registered only their second away Premier League win in their past 11 matches (D4 L5), also beating Southampton in February.
    With his 28th shot in the Premier League this season, Wolves winger Adama Traore netted his first goal of the season.
    Fulham have lost four consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since losing their first four games of this season.
    This was the second 90th-minute winning goal scored against Fulham this season, with Tomas Soucek scoring one for West Ham in November.

What's next?

Fulham face a trip to Arsenal for a 13:30 BST kick-off on Sunday, 18 April. Wolves are in action the day before, hosting Sheffield United at 15:00.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56611890

WhiteJC

Post-Wolves Press Conference

Scott Parker was understandably gutted with the late suckerpunch that defeated Fulham on Friday night.

The players were visibly distraught after Adama Traore's stoppage time winner for Wolverhampton Wanderers, but when asked if it would be hard to bounce back, our Head Coach remained defiant.

"It's a tough one to take. It's not going to be a tough one to bounce back from," he insisted. "It's a painful one tonight and you obviously see that in the scenes at the end of the game, in terms of this team, how desperate this team are to be successful.

"I asked the team to show fight, to show desire, to leave everything on that pitch tonight, and to a man – and I include the boys who were on the side – we did that. That's the cruel side of football sometimes.

"I'm older than these players, I've not just experienced painful things in football, I've experienced them in life as well. What's going to be the deciding factor when you get put to the canvas, the real character of someone is to get back up, and we're going to have to do that.

"We've done that for large parts of this year. When the chips are down and we've been put down, we get back up and we fight and we carry on doing that. The narrative will be that this was a must-win game, of course it was, but next week's going to be a must-win game as well.

"We've put ourselves in this position, with a real fighting chance, because of what you've seen at the end of the game, a team and a group of players that are desperate, that care passionately about us being successful this year, and with that spirit and with that desire, you've always got a chance.

"You've always got a chance. And that will be our mantra, and we will continue.

"It's painful, we're hurt, disappointed tonight, but as always when this happens, you get your guard up and you come out swinging. And that's what we'll do."

Fulham had twice as many attempts on goal as Wolves in what proved to be a frustrating encounter.

"I thought we did everything," Parker said. "[They're an] organised team, limited them to very few chances, and the longer the game goes on, we commit more men, we want to win the game, and a ball that drops either side doesn't quite fall for us.

"And then the game's decided in the last minute when their boy has gone through at a tight angle and smashed one straight through.

"That's painful, of course, but my team did everything in their powers tonight to try and nullify Wolves who've got talented players, which we did, and on the flip side of that they tried their hardest to win the game."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/april/Post-Wolves-Press-Conference/


WhiteJC

Late Traore strike sinks struggling Fulham

A fantastic injury-time strike by Wolves winger Adama Traore inflicted a potentially damaging defeat for Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Whites had looked to be set for a point from a largely forgettable match before the powerful Traore charged through on the right flank and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

The defeat leaves Scott Parker's side three points behind fourth-bottom Newcastle, who have two games in hand with just eight games of the season remaining.

Wolves just about deserved the win after the hosts had received a huge let-off on the stroke of half-time when Wilian Jose's bullet header was chalked off for the most narrowest of offside calls against Daniel Podence.

The officials at Stockley Park deemed, after an almost three-minute delay, that Podence's shoulder was a fraction of a millimetre in front of Terence Kongolo's when Nelson Semedo crossed the ball into the box.

The incident was the only real drama in an otherwise cagey first half with the home side's best chance falling to Ruben Loftus-Cheek who headed disappointingly wide after a superb run and cross from the lively Antonee Robinson.

Fulham created little of note in the second half with Aleksandar Mitrovic comfortably contained by the impressive Conor Coady, who marshalled the Wolves back-four superbly.

It wasn't until the 81st minute that Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal was forced to make a save of note when he got down low to comfortably deal with Robinson's effort from the edge of the box.

But with the match seemingly petering out for a draw, Trarore hared down on the Fulham goal and despite being under pressure from Joachim Andersen he found the net with a fizzing shot from just inside the box – his first Premier League goal in 41 matches.

Parker admitted the manner of the defeat was hugely disappointing and many of the Fulham players exited the field in tears at the final whistle.

Although he admitted games are running out for his side to prevent an instant return to the Championship, Parker said he and his squad will never throw in the towel.

"It's a tough one to take but it is not going to be a tough one to bounce back from," Parker said.

"It's a painful one tonight, you could see that at the end of the game in terms of this team and how desperate they are to be successful.

"I asked the team to show fight and desire tonight and to a man, and I include the boys that were on the side, we did that.

"There is a cruel side to football sometimes and I am older that all of these players and I have experienced painful things in football and in life as well.

"What is going to be the deciding factor is that when you get put to the canvas is to get back up and we are going to need to do that.

"We've shown this year when we get put down we get back up and fight and we will keep on doing that."


Fulham: Areola, Tete, Andersen, Kongolo, Aina (Cavaleiro 83), Lemina, Reed (Maja 73), De Cordova Reid, Loftus-Cheek (Anguissa 63), Robinson, Mitrovic.
Subs not used: Fabri, Hector, Ream, Adarabioyo, Bryan, Onomah.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/late-traore-strike-sinks-struggling-fulham

WhiteJC

Newcastle Handed Golden Chance To Move Six Points Above Fulham

Adama Traore has handed Newcastle a massive boost. The out-of-form winger scored an outstanding goal in stoppage time at Craven Cottage tonight to give Wolves a 1-0 victory over Fulham. The win moves Wolves to 12th in the table on 38 points.

It's a devastating blow to Fulham who were the beneficiaries of a farcical VAR decision to close the first half. Wolves fashioned a beautiful move which Willian Jose finished with a seemingly good goal a minute into first-half extra time.

However, the artist got their line drawn and the video frozen to determine that Daniel Podence's elbow was beyond the last Fulham defender. So Willian Jose's goal was overturned by VAR, which is destroying this beautiful game.

But enough about Wolves and Fulham. Newcastle now have a golden chance to take back this season. A win at Burnley on Sunday will see Newcastle six points above Fulham with a game in hand. If we win by two goals, we'll be level on goal difference with the Cottagers.

However, that is putting the horse before the cart, or however the saying goes. Newcastle have not won in 7 straight which Fulham equaled tonight with their defeat. Hopefully, the potential return of Callum Wilson can make the difference and Newcastle can finally pick up a win at Burnley on Sunday.



https://www.nufcblog.com/2021/04/09/377877/

WhiteJC

Adama Traoré's late Wolves winner leaves Fulham in big relegation trouble

Fulham are running out of lives. This was a devastating defeat, inflicted at the very end of a game in which they never quite did enough. The number of chances to escape relegation are dwindling rapidly and, having hauled their way back into contention earlier in the spring, they have picked the worst possible time to offset much of that good work by equalling their worst losing run of the season.

A fourth consecutive reverse was guaranteed in thrilling fashion by Adama Traoré in the second minute of added time. If the goal was unexpected for its timing then its quality of conception and execution were both startling, too, given the drudgery of what had previously passed. Wolves did not stand out here but felt they had their just desserts: Willian José had seen what looked a legitimate opener ruled out shortly before half-time by a ludicrous application of VAR and until those final seconds it seemed their sense of injustice would rankle all the way home.

Instead they could celebrate a first win in six. The game had rarely opened up until a relatively helter-skelter closing spell in which Fulham, their urgency growing, threw men forward. Wolves were finding gaps of their own and found the critical slither of space when their substitute, Fabio Silva, flipped a smart first-time pass through the inside-right channel for Traoré to run through. The finish, hammered past Alphonse Areola with tremendous force from an angle, was emphatic and gave Traoré his first Premier League goal since December 2019.

Given the threat he poses, even on relatively quiet nights like this, that barren 48-game run seemed jarring. "Adama can produce amazing scenes," said Nuno Espírito Santo, his manager. "His talent, his speed, his style, the way he works: he deserves moments like this because he works for them." Had Traoré not intervened, Nuno's conversation might not have strayed beyond the injustice served up by video technology. When José thundered in an excellent header from Daniel Podence's chipped cross, the centre-forward appeared to have broken the 11-game drought he has endured since joining from Real Sociedad in January.

There was no reason to suspect otherwise unless you were in control of Stockley Park's soul-sapping selection of lines and graphs. They were pulled up to discern Podence had strayed offside, apparently by the width of half a shoulder, before delivering. It seemed unclear even after several replays and once again the question rears up: is this the sport we really want? Nuno thought not.

"It's not the spirit of the game so I hope that us in football can find a solution," he said. "When stadiums are full again it's going to be hard to explain to thousands and thousands of people that one hand is an offside."

It was a reprieve for Fulham and looked likely to ensure they earned a point, although that may not have made too much difference in the scheme of things. Ruben Loftus-Cheek should have put them ahead shortly before the half-hour but flashed a header wide when unmarked 12 yards out. The provider was Antonee Robinson, who was perhaps the game's best player from his perch as an advanced left wing-back and also teed up a half-chance that Aleksandar Mitrovic planted off target.

Fulham's problem was that, even as they ratcheted up the late pressure, they lacked anyone with similar attacking gumption. Ademola Lookman, sidelined with a hamstring injury, was badly missed.

"We're deflated, we're hurt," said Scott Parker, some of whose players appeared close to tears at full time. "You can see the scenes at the end, how desperate this team are to be successful. I asked the team to leave everything on the pitch and tonight we did that. Sometimes when you get put to the canvas the real character of someone is to get back up, and we're going to need to do that."

They are, and given visits to Arsenal and Chelsea come next they will have to find hope the difficult way while hoping Newcastle waste their games in hand. For all that balls bobbled around the Wolves box they rarely worked Rui Patrício; the visitors, for their part, created little but José could have scored in the second minute and Traoré dragged wide from a serviceable position after that.

"My team did everything tonight, nullified a very good team and tried their hardest to win the game," Parker said. "This team will come back fighting." The sense is that it will take quite something, though, for them to recover from Traoré's knockout blow.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/09/fulham-wolves-premier-league-match-report


WhiteJC

Fulham slip ever deeper into danger after last-gasp Wolves strike increases the gloom

Fulham (0) 0

Wolves (0) 1 Traore 90

A stunning injury-time winner from Adama Traore piled on the agony for Fulham, as they again passed up an opportunity to escape the relegation quicksands.

This fourth defeat in a row is a real hammer-blow for Scott Parker's men. The game was heading for a goalless draw, with neither side having made much of a case for deserving a win.

But Wolves did have a fine-looking first-half strike ruled out for the most marginal of offsides following a VAR-intervention and they had a man with explosive boots in Traore.

The winger is always a threat and his last-gasp dash down the right flank ended with him unleashing a blistering drive past Alphonse Areola, who will be disappointed to have been beaten for pace at his near post.

A good time for the Wolves winger to end a goal drought. But not great for Fulham.

All is not lost, of course, but the margin for error is now more acute than ever.

It is incredible that with only two home wins all season, Fulham are still in with a chance of beating the drop, but with just six games to go, their situation remains dicey to say the least.

There are only two more games for them at the Cottage too, though with little advantage in hosting games in this behind-closed-doors season, maybe that will matter less than their form and heart in the final flurry of matches.

The gap between the Whites and safety is still three points, but Newcastle, just above them in the table, have two games in hand. The Magpies play at Burnley on Sunday. 

That last-day fixture at home to their nearest rivals will only mean something if the Whites can find a way to win a game or two before that showdown.

It was a mess of a match at the Cottage and the quality was poor. It would not have needed a wise man to predict a scoreless draw before kick-off, given Wolves' athletic organisation and conservative approach, coupled with the poverty of Fulham's attacking this season.

Up until minute 90, that was what we were looking at.

There was not too much it before the 'offside goal.' Willian Jose served notice of the dangers he might pose with an early glancing header from a Nelson Semedo free-kick which went just wide.

The Whites created an even better chance when Antonee Robinson – picked out several times by raking passes from Joachim Andersen in the first half – lifted a perfect hanging cross from the left for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but the midfielder sent his header wide, with the goal at his mercy.

Robinson found a lot of traction down that left side and after shrugging off Semedo, he whipped in another cross that Aleksandar Mitrovic met with a forceful header that was again just off target.

The Whites were mightily relieved to go in all-square at the break though, after VAR ruled an offside in the build-up to a headed 'goal' by Jose, who got in front of Ola Aina to nod in a cross from Daniel Podence. The provider was deemed to have had an infringing armpit.

After the interval, Romain Saiss blasted a free-kick powerfully over from inside the D after Terence Kongolo had clattered clumsily into Traore to concede a set piece in a dangerous area.

There were efforts from distance by Bobby Reid and the effervescent Robinson, but mothing to seriously trouble the scorers. 

Parker shuffled his pack by bringing on Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa, Josh Maja and Ivan Cavaleiro, against his old club and there was a sense of going for broke.

But the Whites seemed incapable of carving out any gold-standard chances and ultimately paid the heaviest of prices.

Whites: Areola – Aina (Cavaleiro 84), Andersen, Kongolo – Tete, Lemina, Reed (Maja 74), Robinson – Loftus-Cheek (Zambo Anguissa 63), Reid - Mitrovic. Subs not used: Fabri, Hector, Ream, Tosin, Bryan, Onomah

Wolves: Patricio – Semedo, Coady, Saiss, Ait-Nouri – Dendoncker, Neves – Neto (Moutinho 33), Podence (Gibbs-White 74), Traore – Willian Jose (Fabio Silva 78). Subs not used: Ruddy, Hoever, Vitinha, Richards, Kilman, Otasowie



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/fulham-slip-ever-deeper-into-danger-after-last-gasp-wolves-strike-increases-the-gloom

WhiteJC

Traore pushes Fulham closer to drop

The sight of crestfallen Fulham players in tears after the final whistle told you everything. Scott Parker's side had already blown two opportunities to move above Newcastle and out of the Premier League drop zone – and they couldn't afford to squander another survival lifeline. There was no lack of effort but, following Sunday's late collapse at Villa Park, the concession of Adama Traore's stoppage-time winner – which flew past a culpable Alphonse Areola at his near post – felt like the hammer blow that will send Fulham tumbling out of the top flight.

The goal was even more devastating as it came immediately after the Whites spurned a glorious chance to grab a winner themselves. Kenny Tete had been felled by substitute Fabio Silva and Ivan Cavaleiro stood over a free-kick wide on the road, with the angle to whip an inviting ball for an assembled cast inside the Wolves penalty area. Instead, he found Rui Patricio's gloves with a woeful delivery. A minute later and the ball was in the Fulham net. Referee Jon Moss deserves immense credit for playing advantage when Morgan Gibbs-White was clearly taken out in the middle of the field forty yards from goal, allowing Traore to surge down the right flank and fire into the roof of the net from an impossibly acute angle, badly wrongfooting Areola.

There was still time for Fulham, who had toiled manfully throughout without ever looking like breaking the deadlock, to fashion one last half chance when Josh Maja miscued a volley from ten yards out down into the turf and up into the grateful arms of Patricio with the game's last kick. Fulham might only be three points behind Newcastle but they have played two games move than the Magpies and Steve Bruce's side can put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone by beating Burnley on Sunday. Parker's next two assignments, trips to Arsenal and Chelsea, would be tough under the best of circumstances – but you fancy Fulham need a miracle bigger than the one Roy Hodgson pulled off in 2008 now.

This scrappy and tense affair was not an alluring advert for the English top flight. Two sides badly out of form largely cancelled each other out and the first half was a turgid watch, coming to life only with its last gasp when Wolves were ludicrously denied the opening goal by the video assistant referee. With the half's only serious moment of quality, Daniel Podence produced a fine cross that Willian Jose emphatically headed past Areola – only for the subsequent analysis to suggest that the winger's arm might have been marginally offside. It wasn't the clear and obvious howler that the technology has been brought in to correct – and it was a mighty let off for Fulham.

Parker's side, which included Terence Kongolo making a first league start for seventeen months after Tosin Adarabioyo harshly paid the penalty for his mistake in the Midlands on Easter Sunday, had huffed and puffed without creating a great deal. Antonee Robinson represented Fulham's most potent threat with his raids down the left often prompted by Joachim Andersen's exquisite crossfield passes. The American's two best crosses provided the hosts' only serious openings – Ruben Loftus-Cheek criminally failing to find the target with his head from ten yards and Aleksandar Mitrovic looping a header just wide from further out just before the break.

Fulham began with more adventure after the interval, but Mitrovic was frequently left completely isolated up against Wolves' well-drilled three centre backs. Mario Lemina almost teased an opening for Kenny Tete at the back post before Patricio snaffled a tame Mitrovic header at his near post and, although Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa added both industry and intensity from the bench, the Whites lacked a telling final ball to match their desire as they pressed for an opener. The clearer chances probably came at the other end, with Romain Saïss wasting a free-kick just outside the area and Leander Dendoncker spurning two headed chances.

Parker's side roused themselves in a lively closing spell where they raised the tempo. Maja saw his close-range header diverted wide by Ruben Neves after Anguissa had created half a yard of space outside the box and an improvised effort from his right foot by Robinson briefly had Patricio scurrying across his goalline. In the story of Fulham's infuriating campaign, the home side were punished for their failure to make the most of their best spell of the game in its dying embers. Teenage striker Fabio Silva, who has shown flickers of his dazzling potential so far since his summer move from Porto, injected energy into Wolves' late break when he sent Traore blazing down the right with a lovely pass after Gibbs-White had been cynically felled and the rapid Spaniard broke Fulham's hearts with a powerful drive that took Areola by surprise and ended his own fifteenth month Premier League scoring drought.

Parker has arguably already pulled off a heroic feet in making a Fulham side who looked nothing more than top flight cannon fodder in the early weeks of the season competitive in this division – but the Whites have lacked the ruthlessness to be able to capitalise on their improved run of form around the turn of the year. It seems as though salvation will be beyond them unless this crazy season serves up the most unscriptable of finales.

FULHAM (3-4-3): Areola; Aina (Cavaleiro 84), Andersen, Kongolo; Tete, Robinson, Reed (Maja 73), Lemina; Loftus-Cheek (Anguissa 63), Decordova-Reid, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Fabri, Hector, Ream, Adarabioyo, Bryan, Onomah.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-2-3-1): Patricio; Semedo, Aït-Nouri, Coady, Saïss; Dendoncker, Neves; Neto (Moutinho 33), Traore, Podence (Gibbs-White 74); Jose (Silva 78). Subs (not used): Ruddy, Hoever, Kilman, Richards, Otasowie, Vintinha.

GOAL: Traore (90+3).

REFEREE: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/04/traore-pushes-fulham-closer-to-drop/

WhiteJC

Verdict: The game's almost up for Fulham after disastrous defeat

The game is almost up for Fulham.

They're close to needing snookers to get out if this relegation battle.

What you don't need is one of your better players to let a goal in at his near post in the last minute of added time – the only goal of a moribund match against Wolves.

Yet again, there was precious little final-third action at the other end, with Antonee Robinson providing the closest thing to a Fulham goal with a low shot towards the end.

Before that? Nothing.

Certainly nothing that gave keeper Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal cause for concern.

Scott Parker reckons he's pleased with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but that's a manager supporting one of his own.

That glancing header off target on 28 minutes was the Chelsea loanee's one notable contribution of the night.

It just isn't enough.

Getting past a man isn't RLC's game and it shows; playing off a shoulder is, but that's not the Fulham way.

This is a half-decent player in a side that doesn't suit his strengths, and no amount of geeing up from the head coach is going to change that.

Fulham played with a two up top over the last 16 minutes, but Parker clearly feels risking that from the start won't help.

Even so, Fulham nearly got away with another draw when they chalked up another VAR decision in their favour just before half-time.

It's got to the point when you can't tell even with the aid of technology whether someone is offside or not.

Like everyone else staring at the wrist or a finger ahead of a defender's digit and seeing them absolutely level is creating a nonsense of the game.

Daniel Podence was about as level as you can be with Terence Kongolo before crossing for a chalked off goal, but the  Whites got the rub of the replay, or rather frozen frame.

This was a decision that comes down to opinion, and VAR was meant to bin all that.

Still, Fulham can't complain about the TV screen even if their manager does.

I'd keep quiet if I were you, Scotty.

Leading up to that let-off, who to blame?

Kongolo for not getting out to the danger of a cross, or Bobby Decordova-Reid having a nap on the edge of the box?

The latter can't defend, and the former hasn't played all season.

That said, Kongolo had an otherwise terrific first Premier League game for Whites.

The cherry on the cake for the Dutch defender was a perfectly timed tackle on Adama Traore in the second half.

In between and after he won headers, and was generally in the right place at the same time. More of the same, please.

When Fulham cross quickly they cause problems, as Robinson did in the first half.

When they ponder and stare at the penalty area like it was a minefield, the chances of finding a player are minimal.

For a long time in the game, getting the ball to Aleksandar Mitrovic with a lofted pass was the forlorn hope of a breakthrough.

But for argument's sake, who would have to go if Fulham survived against the odds?

The aforementioned Decordova-Reid, Mario Lemina and Loftus-Cheek are decent players – but at this level they just don't do enough.

Sub Ivan Cavaleiro has speed, but he too, needs a bit extra to make a telling impact.

The rest have played a part, but the table doesn't lie.

Parker did say he would make changes – but it was a brave soul who predicted a Fulham Premier League debut for Kongolo.

Ademola Lookman was never going to make it with a single day's light training, and four on the physio table before that.

It was Tosin who paid the price for that howler at Villa Park that gave away the second crucial goal.

At 23, he's got time on his side, but he'd better learn quickly if he's to feature in the last five games.

The one tiny crumb of consolation as yet again Fulham blow a chance to get out of the bottom three was Kongolo's performance.

It's not a lot though, is it?



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/verdict-the-games-almost-up-for-fulham-after-disastrous-defeat


WhiteJC

Scott Parker insists Fulham still have 'fighting chance' to avoid Premier League relegation despite Wolves loss

Scott Parker insists battling Fulham still have a fighting chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League despite Friday's costly defeat by Wolves.

Last season's Championship play-off final winners are facing a considerable uphill battle in their quest to avoid an instant return to the second tier, with games rapidly running out.

After losses against Manchester City, Leeds and Aston Villa that followed their shock away win at Liverpool last month, Fulham slumped to a fourth successive defeat at Craven Cottage courtesy of Adama Traore's thunderous last-gasp effort.

A victory on Friday would have taken Parker's side out of the drop zone on goal difference, but instead they remain three points adrift of safety having now played two matches more than 17th-placed Newcastle, who travel to Burnley on Sunday.

Fulham's prospects of preserving their top-flight status look bleak, though the manager certainly isn't seeing a lack of fight from his players.

"It's a tough one to take. It's not going to be a tough one to bounce back from," Parker said.

"It's a painful one tonight and you obviously see that at the end of the game with the scenes of this team and how desperate this team are to be successful.

"I asked the team to show fight, to show desire, to leave everything on the pitch tonight and to a man, we did that. It's a cruel side of football sometimes.

"Like a lot of these players, I've not just experienced painful moments in football, I've also experienced them in life and what's going to be the deciding factor is, sometimes when you get put to the canvas, one of the tests of real character is to get back up and we're going to need to do that.

"We've done that for large parts of this year, when the chips are down we get back up and we fight and we keep on doing that, and that's the reason that we're in the position we're in.

"We find ourselves in this position where we are, but we've got a fighting chance because of what you see at the end of the game, a team and a group of players that are desperate. This is a group of players that feel passionately about being successful this year, and with that spirit and with that desire you've always got a chance.

"We will continue, painful, hurt and disappointing tonight but as always you get your guard up and you come out swinging, and that's what we'll do."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/scott-parker-fulham-fc-fighting-chance-avoid-premier-league-relegation-wolves-loss-b928942.html

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Get What They Deserve Which Is Nothing Against Wolves

Take a listen to podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This is our initial reaction show to Fulham's 1-0 loss to Wolves.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/4/9/22376344/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-get-what-they-deserve-which-is-nothing